No two decoy carvers work exactly the same way, as a brief chat with five carvers at a Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Md., clearly demonstrates.
Gallery
Mike Smyser
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Basic Decoy Shape
Mike Smyser cuts out a basic decoy shape.
Mike Smyser
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On Display
Mike Smyser displays his decoys at a show.
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The Old-Fashioned Way
Ed Stough prefers to carve the old-fashioned way, using hand tools only.
Bill Schauber
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Collectibles
Bill Schauber’s pieces are considered highly collectible.
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Chopping Technique
Warren Saunders demonstrates his chopping technique at the Waterfowl Festival.
Warren Saunders
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In Style
Warren Saunders’ decoys are in the style of the Ward brothers.
Warren Saunders
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Hands at Work
Warren Saunders believes in the importance of passing along America’s original folk art.
Patrick Godin
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At Work
Patrick Godin at work in his studio.
Patrick Godin
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Black Ducks With a Drake
In 2001, Godin’s pair of black ducks with a drake mallard-black duck hybrid took first place in the World Class Shootin’ Rig category at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition.
At its 51st annual conference, the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) bestowed its highest honor—the Gladney Davidson Memorial Award—on Marion Hammer for her significant contributions to hunter education.
Other than a gun or bow, a knife is about the most important tool a hunter may carry. Of course it must be sharp to be useful. Here’s how to put a good edge on it.